Classes at Archbishop Riordan High School in San Francisco have been suspended after a tuberculosis outbreak affected dozens of students and staff. The San Francisco Department of Public Health reported that over 50 individuals have latent tuberculosis, with at least three active cases.
The school has moved to remote learning until 9 February, followed by a hybrid model until 20 February. After that, only those who test negative for TB will be allowed on campus, according to school president Tim Reardon.
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that attack the lungs and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It is only contagious when active; latent TB is not contagious. The first active case was reported in November, and health officials urge those with active TB to stay home.
The health department issued an advisory to local doctors, noting that the risk to the general public is low. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, coughing up blood, and weight loss. TB can be fatal if not treated promptly. Both active and latent TB are treatable with antibiotics, though treatment takes months.
California has higher TB rates than the national average, with 5.4 cases per 100,000 people compared to about three nationally in 2024. However, the disease remains relatively rare, with 17 new or ongoing outbreaks of four or more people reported in the state last year.
